Should Small Campaign Donations be Matched with Tax Dollars?

“We’ve proposed legislation, the Government By the People Act, that’s one of many efforts that would give small donors out there, everyday citizens, some real power again in their democracy – matching funds would come in behind small donations –and allow candidates to run a viable competitive campaign by turning in the direction of everyday citizens instead of feeling like they have to go to the sort of deep-pocketed sources of funding,” he said at a “Make It In America: What’s Next?” forum on Capitol Hill.

“If we do that, I think we’ll bring back those Americans who have lost hope in their democracy, and with their voices in the political town square we’ll get back to good, sound public policy -- so I hope that you’ll consider that.”

Under the bill, sponsored by Sarbanes, donations to House candidates of up to $150 would be matched 6-to-1 from revenue raised through ending corporate tax loopholes.

Sarbanes said a matching system is “wonderful” because it makes a $25, $50 or $100 donor a “power player” in the political process.

Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.) said millennials, in particular, think the game of politics is rigged. Kilmer asked Sarbanes if he agreed with that assessment.